Lak Wak Tu Neng (Tracking Love)

Lak Wak Tu Neng (Tracking Love)

Online Premiere

The documentary premiered online on March 21, 2022, for a two-day screening, marking the International Day of Forests. A 112-minute Q&A session followed, moderated by Dr. Serina Rahman, Visiting Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, with assistance from Grace Chin.

Panel Discussion

The panel featured:

  • Roslan bin Carang and Marisan A/K Pandak (Kampung Chuweh)
  • Noordin bin Asu (Kampung Sungai Tiang)
  • Yeap Chin Aik, co-founder of the MNS Hornbill Conservation Project and a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Hornbill Specialist Group and Helmeted Hornbill Working Group
  • Leong Hon Yuen, the filmmaker

Synopsis

At the start of the breeding season, indigenous trackers hike deep into the Temenggor Forest Reserve, searching for hornbill nesting signs. They must reach the love nests before poachers and loggers.

This Hulu Perak reserve is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), home to 10 hornbill species, eight of which face global threats. The most endangered is the Helmeted Hornbill.

Azam Carang and Marisan Pandak navigate the dense jungle, while Roslan Carang trains his son, Dedi, in the field. Though the youngest Hornbill Guardian, Dedi shares their passion. He knows what’s at stake—without hornbills, indigenous livelihoods is in jeopardy.

Watch the Film

  • Trailer: [Watch here]
  • Full Documentary: [Watch here] Available from August 9, 2022, for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

Film Details

  • Year: 2022
  • Duration: 28 minutes
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Languages: Jahai, Temiar, Malay, English
  • Subtitles: English, Malay
  • Filmmaker: HonYuen Leong / Factual TV Sdn Bhd

Production & Support

This film was produced under the Trees for the Future: Safeguarding the Central Forest Spine project, supported by the Rainforest Journalism Fund in partnership with the Pulitzer Center. The Cloud Theatre screening was backed by Factual TV Sdn Bhd to support indigenous livelihoods through the Malaysian Nature Society Hornbill Conservation Project. We thank the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) for permitting our visit to Kampung Orang Asli Chuweh. However, the day before our arrival, a COVID outbreak in a nearby village forced us to follow JAKOA’s advice and abandon filming there. Instead, the Hornbill Guardians’ story began on a boat outside their village…

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